Trebuchets

[Tigger]

I can't seem to ever fire a trebuchet in battle against troops

Am I being thick or are they for sieges only

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif

[Daevyll]

You can use them, but you cannot pivot them once deployed so unless your enemy is straight ahead (and in range) you cant fire the Trebuchet at them.

I personally like catapults better, since they _can_ pivot.

As for their effectiveness, if you take 3 or 4 as a defender against a big attacking army they can be quite effective, especially with low leadership (they cause fear).
You might even get lucky and kill the opposing general, I've had it happen several times.

Taking 3 or 4 extra units will nearly always be more effective though, but not nearly as amusing http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Juan Madsen]

Quote[/b] (Daevyll @ Mar. 21 2003,09:10)]I personally like catapults better, since they _can_ pivot.
In your opinion, are the catapults effective in a garrison duty, with some infantry units, in areas where you do not want to expand?.

For example, imagine I deploy the following regiment (army) in Constantinople because I want a permanent strong garrison in there:

2 Mil Sgt.
1 FMAA
1 Archer
1 Light Cavalry
4 Catapults.

in your opinion can this unit behave eficiently in case the province is attached by an enemy army of around 800 men of average quality soldiers?.

[tgi01]

in single they can be used even at bridge defence ...

just dont try to use them in multiplay http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif


tgi

[TanDaraDei]

Or a bridge offensive.

Especially on a single bridge map with a hill on the side of the enemy when even the pavise arbs can not shoot across the river. I found it quite fruitfull to put two trebushets just in front of the bridge and throw missiles at enemy nicely lined up in columns. Whenever they tried to pull back or to the side i rushed a unit of inf on the bridge and the AI returned to defence. However, other than that large siege engines are just useless in the field due to inability to turn.

[Gaius Julius]

In battle, I've used Culverins, and Demi-Culverins.
They're great fun. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ichi]

Tigger: The Trebs are fixed once positioned, and cannot fire outside a cone extending from them. Use them just like an archer, except place them so they cover where u think the enemy will have to cross to get to u.

I hold down my left mouse button to string out the crew from left to right, just like w/ an infantry unit. Then I run the cursor over the field in front of the Treb. Wherever the arrow is green is within range/field. where the arrow is red, or u get a red x, its no joy.

Juan: Others might disagree with me, but I'd put a few more spear troops and heavy cav in the mix.

Artillery is better for defense than offense, IMHO, except when attacking a castle. Arty is great for bridges and maps with passes. And catapults and ballistas are better 'cause they can turn, but they lack the killing power of of Treb or Mangonel.

tgi01: Lots of folks use them in MP; lots of us like to chase them from the field. See threads in Jousting Fields.

ichi

[ErikJansen]

One period I used to bring a single Trebuchet to battles in MP for no reason, then insist my allies rally around the Trebuchet to keep it safe n silly stuff like that http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

In MP I see use for the Treb only in sieges. That, or tricking the enemy into believing you have no idea at all http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Daevyll]

Quote[/b] (Juan Madsen @ Mar. 21 2003,09:38)]
Quote[/b] (Daevyll @ Mar. 21 2003,09:10)]I personally like catapults better, since they _can_ pivot.
In your opinion, are the catapults effective in a garrison duty, with some infantry units, in areas where you do not want to expand?.

For example, imagine I deploy the following regiment (army) in Constantinople because I want a permanent strong garrison in there:

2 Mil Sgt.
1 FMAA
1 Archer
1 Light Cavalry
4 Catapults.

in your opinion can this unit behave eficiently in case the province is attached by an enemy army of around 800 men of average quality soldiers?.
They are useful as a garrison, yes. The casualties they cause can be quite high if you're lucky, but their fear factor is what makes them so useful. If you have a high dread commander then many attackers will be wavering by the time they come anywhere near your lines.


4 catapults, 4 arbalesters, 4 feudal spearmen, 3 chivalric MAA, 1 mounted sergeants is probably my favourite allround defensive force in SP, especially on hilly terrain. Not very good on the attack though.